Lisa McWilliams

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• Lisa McWilliams
• Careers Adviser
• Keele University Careers Service

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Open Day

• Graduate labour market
• Graduates and the recession
• Keele and employability

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• Graduate labour market

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Myths about graduate recruitment

• Degree good job
• Graduates only work for big blue chip companies
• Taking a non vocational degree will limit
  opportunities in the job market
• It doesnt matter what A2 grades I have - its
  the degree that counts

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Graduate Labour Market

• High level of competition for graduate positions
• Competence based application process
• Importance of targeted application process
• Flexibility of the degree
• Stepping stones to a career

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What employers value 1

• Academic qualifications
• Relevant work experience
• General work experience
• Work shadowing
• Voluntary work
• Positions of responsibility
• Involvement in clubs societies
• Study/travel abroad

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What employers value 2

• Problem solving
• Strategic planning
• Decision making
• Innovation management
• Communication
• Ability to prioritise
• Numerical/IT skills
• Dealing with pressure
• Drive for results
• Team working
• Resilience

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Graduate Case Studies

• Ben, Press Officer,Olympic Delivery Authority
  (Law)
• Emma, Second Secretary, British Embassy
  (International History and Law)
• James, Software Developer (Computer Science and
  English)
• Mark, Financial Systems Developer (English
  and Law)
• Jim, Officer in British Army (Politics and
  International History)
• Rachel, Auditor, PWC (Law and Politics)
• Sian, Research Consultant (Criminology and Law)
• Rachel, National Trust Careership (Criminology
  and Criminology)

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Keele destinations 2008

• Employment FT 66
• Work further study 9
• Further study only 14
• Unemployed 4
• Not available 3
• Explicit refusal 4

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Graduate salaries 2007/08

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Graduate application process 2008/09

• Online application form (psychometric tests)
• Traditional CVs and application form
• Telephone interviews
• First interviews (psychometric tests)
• Assessment centre for 1 - 2 days
• Psychometric tests
• Group exercise
• In tray exercise
• Presentation
• Role-play
• Second interview
• Social event

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• Graduates and the recession

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Graduate recruitment 2009

• Vacancies fall for first time since 2003
• Projected decrease of 5.4
• Graduate salaries frozen
• Banking and financial services cut salaries
• Law firms defer trainee solicitors
• 45 of AGR members expect to hire fewer graduates
  this year

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Beat the recession

• Research job and company
• Think quality not quantity with applications
• Apply early
• Temporary paid employment if necessary
• Relevant work experience
• Postgraduate study?
• Be flexible in your career planning

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• Universities and employability

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Student development

• How universities can help student employability
• Career modules
• Employability skills on courses
• Personal Development Planning
• Module choices
• Enterprise opportunities
• Career Service workshops presentations
• Alumni

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Working with Keele students

• Careers Service in central campus location
• Team of experienced Careers Advisers
• Website/Facebook/Twitter
• Matrix Quality Standard

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Working with Keele students

• Support before, during and after degree studies
• Unlimited full guidance interviews
• Comprehensive range of workshops covering all
  aspects of graduate employment CVs, application
  forms, psychometric tests, interviews and
  assessment centres
• Specialist workshops in academic schools
  English, history, psychology, social work,
  nursing, physics, chemistry, forensic science,
  education, law, life science, geography

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Making the most of university

• Enjoy your academic programme - take the
  opportunities that are on offer
• Be an active student join clubs and societies
• Research your career ideas early organise
  relevant work experience
• Develop skills through any part-time jobs you
  have

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Long-term benefits of a degree

• It takes time for graduates to develop their
  careers
• Continuing rise in demand for skilled workers
• Having a degree is a significant advantage
• 5 years after graduation survey
• 71 in a job related to long-term career plans
• 80 satisfied with career progress to date
• 4 out of 5 in graduate jobs
• Graduate skills being used
• A cash career not always priority for graduates

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• Thank you
• Any questions?